Grieving dad hopes plea is a lesson
By Sue Lindsay, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)
Originally published 10:55 a.m., May 14, 2008
Updated 12:43 a.m., May 15, 2008
George Kochaniec Jr. / The Rocky
Nanette LaFleur leaves Jefferson County District Court with attorney Jeff Pagliuca on Wednesday. She pleaded guilty to vehicular homicide and vehicular assault while driving drunk March 13, 2007. The crash killed Samara Stricklen and injured Seth Mutschler.
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Bill Stricklen said he hopes Wednesday's guilty plea by the drunken driver who killed his daughter will serve to keep other teens from drinking and driving.
Nanette LaFleur, 17, pleaded guilty in Jefferson County District Court to vehicular homicide and vehicular assault while driving drunk March 13, 2007.
Her car crossed the yellow line on West Alameda Parkway at West Florida Avenue, plowing into a Honda Accord carrying 17-year-old Samara Stricklen, who was killed. Seth Mutschler, 21, the driver of that car, suffered a broken leg and ribs, a crushed ankle and internal injuries.
LaFleur, then 16, had been drinking and smoking marijuana that day. She faces a four-year sentence to the youthful offender system when she is sentenced July 9.
"I'm very pleased with the fact that Nanette finally made the admission of her guilt," Bill Stricklen said. "That's a big relief, but it still disturbs me that it took a year and a half to get to the point where she finally pleaded guilty.
"We grieve daily. We miss our daughter. She was supposed to be graduated from high school this month."
Van Thien Pham, the man accused of selling alcohol to the teens in the crash, also pleaded guilty Wednesday and will be sentenced in July.
"I just hope that Nanette and Mr. Pham realize that we lost a significant part of our life," Stricklen said. "We can't bring Samara back."
Stricklen, who is hearing-impaired and spoke through an interpreter, said that he and his wife will receive an honorary diploma for their daughter from Bear Creek High School this weekend.
"We hope that this also will have an impact on the students and the community and send a message that teenagers should not drink and drive."
LaFleur was indicted as an adult in the case after confusion arose over who was driving the car when the crash took place.
She traded places with Alison Paige Bowen immediately after the accident and claimed that Bowen had been the driver. The Ford Explorer belonged to Bowen's parents.
Bowen previously pleaded guilty to attempting to influence a public servant and driving under the influence. She was sentenced in January to 45 days of confinement, two years of probation and 150 hours of community service.
Jefferson County District Attorney Scott Storey said LaFleur's plea demonstrates the tough stance that his office takes on drinking and driving by teens.
"This is the only way I know to make an impression on these kids," he said. "This was no deal. This young lady was a juvenile charged as an adult and will serve four years in YOS."
He said LaFleur's lying about who was driving prolonged the case and caused more pain to Stricklen's family.
"This was a grueling case for both families," he said.
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May 14, 2008
11:20 a.m.
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shoulder2shoulder writes:
way to sexy it up for the judge!!
I would
May 14, 2008
11:28 a.m.
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DahmersCookbook writes:
Wow she is smokin'!!! I bet the jealous fattys will be A typin' now. How about that mother of 4 who posts here on A regular! VuduTank, Uh oh!
May 14, 2008
11:34 a.m.
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SeaBass writes:
The judge probably stipulated that he would punish her by putting her over his knee and give her a right and proper spanking.
May 14, 2008
11:42 a.m.
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FallyBerry writes:
Do people seriously think this os appropriate attire for court?
Where are her parents?
Offensive.
May 14, 2008
11:57 a.m.
Scott writes:
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
May 14, 2008
12:02 p.m.
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medina88 writes:
You people (except fallyberry) are just sick. I can't believe that after a story like this, you just concentrate on her shirt. She is a beautiful girl who will spend the rest of her life guilty of killing an innocent young girl who was more beautiful, wasn't drinking, wasn't doing drugs and surely wasn't driving some one elses car. She oviously hasn't learned a lesson as far as being mature. Where are her parents? Don't they understand what they are doing by letting their daughter present herself like this after getting into this much trouble? And you people prase her!! What a sick country we live in.
May 14, 2008
12:06 p.m.
RickyLee writes:
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
May 14, 2008
12:08 p.m.
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joedog writes:
its not inapropriate, its the same get up dahmer wears at his dwai hearings.
May 14, 2008
12:11 p.m.
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medina88 writes:
norsegod88-your seriously looking for some attention aren't you
May 14, 2008
12:16 p.m.
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dilligaf writes:
I wish the RMN would do a better job at screening some of these disgusting posts. If the lack of class was against the law most of these clowns would be in jail for life.
May 14, 2008
12:17 p.m.
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mayday writes:
medina88: "...is a beautiful girl who will spend the rest of her life guilty of killing an innocent young girl..."
Correction: "...is a beautiful girl who should spend the rest of her life behind bars for consciously killing an innocent young girl..." The girl got 45 days, in juvenile hall no less, for killing another student. Where the hell is the justice in that?
May 14, 2008
12:17 p.m.
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KP13 writes:
I thought she was coming out of the club in this photo!
"your honor not only am I very sorry, but i can ride the meanest pole you have ever seen!"
tragic for the innocent girl who was killed, but i have no pitty for the guilty party, especially after she tried to pin it on her passanger. Get involved parents!
May 14, 2008
12:22 p.m.
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medina88 writes:
Your right mayday.
May 14, 2008
12:26 p.m.
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LamboMan writes:
"What a sick country we live in". That's an awful broad stroke your painting there, medina. We have our share of sicko's running around, no doubt (and plenty of them make regular appearances on this board) but to label our country that way is a bit over the top, don't ya think? It's all too easy to over-generalize on these forums. I wish it wasn't done with such regularity.
In regard to Miss LeFleur's attire, her top looks nice enough to me. It'd be different if she was wearing a lowcut V-neck and showing major cleavage but that's not the case here. I have two HS aged daughters that wear this type of top, or similar, on a regular basis (one whom attends a Christian HS that has a strict dress-code) and I can assure you they look quite nice indeed. And besides, who's to say Miss LeFleur owns, or can afford to go out and purchase a nice suit or something of the sort?
Attire aside, this is a tragic story which has forever altered many lives. One of my greatest fears is that one of my daughters could be suddenly taken from me due to the wreckless and selfish nature of those who drive under the influence.
May 14, 2008
12:26 p.m.
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mtman writes:
mayday - where should I start? Why don't we start with having you read over the article again, then getting back to us. "45 days" should read 4 years (potentially). "The rest of her life behind bars" should read 1000 hours community service in local area high schools doing public speaking. And finally, "where the hell is the justice in that" should read I hope the judge takes all the factors in to account during sentencing.
May 14, 2008
12:30 p.m.
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HolierThanThou writes:
Halftime on this blog has been brought to you by Budweiser.
May 14, 2008
12:34 p.m.
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freedomfighter1 writes:
Is she 18 yet?
May 14, 2008
12:36 p.m.
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medina88 writes:
Well they do live in this country. And maybe I did over do by putting that, but I just got a sick feeling just reading what these people are writing. The top is very nice, but is it appropriate for court.NO! I'm so glad I'm a parent of 3 boys because I would not want perverts like the ones above looking at my daughter that way. And by the way, this is no cheap shirt. One with sleves and a pair of slacks would be much more presentable.
May 14, 2008
12:37 p.m.
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mayday writes:
I stand corrected on the 45 days, I jumbled the names in the last paragraph. 4 years is still completely out of line - she knowingly got behind the wheel drunk and killed someone. Let her rot.
May 14, 2008
12:41 p.m.
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LamboMan writes:
Sleeves would be a plus, no doubt.
May 14, 2008
12:42 p.m.
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DahmersCookbook writes:
I warned the fattys would strike!
May 14, 2008
12:43 p.m.
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Scott writes:
Misunderstanding here, Bowen was slapped on the hand with 45 days plus community service for switching places and claiming that she, Bowen, was driving.
Miss LeVroomVroom's sentencing will be on July 9th and she could spend up to 4 years in Juvie! This little hottie should be spending about 10 years in the real slammer! By the time she would get out of a real prison she won't be nearly as hot looking and she might have an appreciation for the misery that she caused.
I just spent yesterday at the funeral of a coworker who was murdered by a 16 year old snot. At least this 16 year old snot wasn't drunk, but I seriously doubt that that made any difference to my friend's widow and two fatherless children. See http://www.rockymountainnews.com/news... Any bets that this 16 year old snot gets a high priced prostitute to get it off with a wrist slap?
Scott
May 14, 2008
12:46 p.m.
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HolierThanThou writes:
"I'm so glad I'm a parent of 3 boys because I would not want perverts like the ones above looking at my daughter that way."--medina88
Unless your boys are gay, they'll also looking at Nanette LeFleur that way sooner than you think.
May 14, 2008
12:50 p.m.
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SLAP writes:
Her face looks like Napolean Dynamite's.
May 14, 2008
12:54 p.m.
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happymike44 writes:
Well if you look like a victoria's secret model you can pretty much get away with murder.The judge was wrong she deserves more time then 45 days.So I am not surprised she got away with so little time.But don't worry there will be a karma repayment for her.Because one never knows what the universe has in score for you.But to bad she is a very pretty girl and o.m.g she probably still is wondering how this all happened. How about a stint in rehab for a couple of months.Then she can see what happens to you after years of hard drinking.also if she keeps drinking she will look sixty in no time flat.
May 14, 2008
12:55 p.m.
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cooperjtd writes:
Scott, murdered is quite a strong word, did the 16 yr old intentionally kill your co-worker? was it planned? According to the news article, it was a traffic accident. perhaps you should think twice before accusing somebody of murder, even if it is a '16 year old snot' as you put it.
Also, people, this is a tragic story, who cares about the shirt. it's much nicer attire than most people I've seen in court. if you truly are upset regarding the clothing, perhaps you should ask RMN why they posted that particular picture on the home page. seems to me sex sells, especially in the media.
May 14, 2008
12:58 p.m.
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DahmersCookbook writes:
If it was A mistake, can I be her next?
May 14, 2008
1:01 p.m.
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EastVail writes:
Awesome. Think of how hot she will (not) look after four years in prison.
May 14, 2008
1:05 p.m.
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happymike44 writes:
Don't be worried she will be very busy at the juvie spring soiree.But Dahmer she is still a little young.Also she has killed once.What will keep it from happening again.Also she should have to put out a notice to let us know when she is on the road.
May 14, 2008
1:08 p.m.
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cooperjtd writes:
I'm willing to bet the people who are offended here are the same people who are upset over the Miley Cyrus picture, watch gossip girl, obsess over American Idol, never miss Americas Next Top Model as well as obsess over celebrities lives. I wonder when is the last time they actually thought for themselves.
May 14, 2008
1:09 p.m.
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Scott writes:
cooperjtd,
The charge is motor vehicular HOMICIDE. As per "The American Heritage Dictionary" homicide is "The killing of one person by another." From the same reference, murder is "The unlawful killing of one human being by another." You really need to understand the full meaning of homicide and murder. Yes, yes the article claimed "accident" the polite way of saying that the little snot was not paying attention and MURDERED someone. Other news sources, 9News, etc., quoted a witness that said that the witness, and my friend, had the green light.
So cooper, maybe you would like to explain to the widow and fatherless children (they're about 10 and 12) that this 16 year old snot is NOT a murderer. Have you got the guts to do that? I've got the guts to tell the father of the 16 year old snot (he was quoted in other news sources saying "It was just and accident") that his demon spawn is a murderer.
Scott
May 14, 2008
1:15 p.m.
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The_Punnisher writes:
Medina88, sounds like you are a LATRINA....
Ever hear of the word MACHO? Your boys will have that problem soon enough.....
This picture just shows that sex sells...and some of the most MACHO people have some of the worst sexually related behavior...
This person has realized that when you've got it, flaunt it and doesn't realize what REAL LIFE has in store for her..
May 14, 2008
1:20 p.m.
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cooperjtd writes:
Give me the phone number and I'll call them right now. Death is a part of life and they need to understand that. Did they really think that he would live forever? Or perhaps a slow death by cancer would suit them better. A plane crash maybe?
The point being, the kid made a mistake, somebody died. It happens everyday. You seem pretty angry about the death of your co-worker, calling the child a demon spawn. I bet you beat your wife if she doesn't do the dishes by the time you get home. Too much anger Scott, you should be careful, it'll murder you.
May 14, 2008
1:23 p.m.
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FallyBerry writes:
"To everyone saying she should spend the rest of her life in jail. She's a kid and made a stupid mistake. Something like this could have probably very easily happened to most of you at that age. Should she pay for it? Yes. But lifetime in jail over an honest mistake? COme on. (Plus I'd like to take her out for he 18th B-Day, sounds like she knows how to party)"
There is nothing about the loss of a life that should be referred to as a stupid mistake. Or HONEST mistake. There is nothing honest about drinking and driving and then trying to fool the police by switching places with your sober friend! There is nothing more dishonest than that. As far as the shirt goes, you dress respectably in court this shirt is not respectable, at least cover your arms. This isn't American Idol or a Miley Cyrus show this is a court hearing because this girl killed someone because she made the WRONG choice and broke the law.
May 14, 2008
1:49 p.m.
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opinionatedcolo writes:
Scott, your alleged grief might affect some people if you were not on these boards everyday spewing hate and judgment and the same stupid insults. Your constant anger and unjustified opinion of your own intelligence means that nothing you say is taken seriously by anyone.
This girl will spend four years locked up and if she screws up, will spend time in an adult prison. "Accident" or not, that is hardly a walk away. After that I guarantee that she will not look so hot, as sad as that is to dahmer, whose level of class is reflected in his screen name.
May 14, 2008
2:02 p.m.
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johndoeboulder writes:
LaFleur looks like a mouth-breathing bimbo who needs to get some class. I can't believe anyone would wear a tank-top to a courtroom on a case where someone died. That demonstrates a total lack of understanding of the gravity of the situation, and a total lack of respect for the victims' families -- both probably stemming from her lower-middle-class / white-trash upbringing.
Someone speculated that maybe she just couldn't afford a nice outfit for her hearing. She certainly was able to afford the pot and beer she had on the night she killed and seriously injured those two other people... Four years at juvie is way too light.
May 14, 2008
2:02 p.m.
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cooperjtd writes:
alas I was ignorant to the ways of Scott. His constant spewing of hatred and ignorance took me in and I am ashamed to have fallen into his trap. Don't get me wrong, I'm as bitter and angry as they come, but at least I have the decency to take it out on the elderly and small animals, and not some message board.
I bid you all a good day.
May 14, 2008
2:07 p.m.
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cooperjtd writes:
Good thing we have Johndoeboulder here to put all of us lower-middle-class/white trash people in our place. Thank you John, for a minute I was under the impression that you were intelligent and I somehow was an equal within your grand world. Thank you for putting us in our place.
And if you are under the impression that a person can buy a suite with your pot and beer money, you must either smoke and drink some super high class product, or buy extremely cheep suits.
May 14, 2008
2:08 p.m.
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cooperjtd writes:
*suit*
May 14, 2008
2:18 p.m.
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joedog writes:
"cheap"
May 14, 2008
2:45 p.m.
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me2 writes:
cooperjtd, thank you for your funny posts today, you made me laugh.
Kids at 16 live in the moment, she needs community service with accident victems to get a clue.
You men on these posts need to stop acting like horny third graders.
May 14, 2008
2:53 p.m.
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J_Phil writes:
Cooper, do you have a point or are you just looking to annoy as many people as possible today? I think your point is that death happens everyday and people should get over it-- Which is easy for you to say when you don't have a stake in this, you don't know any of the victims and you've obviously never dealt with a similar situation...
While I'm not in the lot that is calling for life imprisonment-- I still think that these folks who are incapable of handling their vehicle properly should be punished severely... Were they accidents? Yes. Does that change the end result? No. Was gross negligence involved in each instance? Yes.
Anyway, MY point is that you ought to quit speaking for the sake of hearing yourself talk and actually develop some sort of a coherent argument that grown-ups can understand. And since you're such a tough guy, I'd love to see you follow through with the call to those fatherless children-- Pretty easy to be a bigshot behind your computer monitor.
May 14, 2008
2:56 p.m.
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J_Phil writes:
I guess I got a little carried away myself with Cooper-- Really the only post he made that I take issue with is the one where he claims he'd call the fatherless children... I think the coworker was right to call the 16 year old a snot-nosed murderer... That's exactly what he is.
Other than that it sounds like you've got a pretty decent sense of humor. So I somewhat apologize for ranting there.
May 14, 2008
3:31 p.m.
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Houstongolfnut writes:
WHERE WERE THE PARENTS? They abdicated their responsibility and turned the parenting task over to the government schools long ago. And we know all too well that the schools no longer teach common courtesy and personal responsibility. And the parents were likely dressed for their 15 minutes of fame as badly as their daughter.
May 14, 2008
3:33 p.m.
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TW1ZT3D writes:
Hey cooper i got a number for you - 5. that would be the count before you pissed yourself if you were ever confronted by someone outside this chatroom. you are very ignorant.
May 14, 2008
3:44 p.m.
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cooperjtd writes:
not a problem J_phil. Death is one of those things that people take rather personally, and people take different views on, much like kissing your sister after too many drinks at thanksgiving, but that's a different issue and one my therapist refuses to talk to me about. I actually would call the children, but I wouldn't be a jerk to them about it. It would be better than having them go through life angry and think of an accident as murder, but that is just my opinion. And to you TW1Zt3D (VERY clever moniker by the way, it's twisted, but with letters AND numbers, so as to show everybody that you are INDEED twisted, GREAT!) you could very well be right about pissing myself, but one thing is for sure, I wouldn't piss on you if you were on fire, if only for the sole reason I don't like alpha-numeric names.
May 14, 2008
3:45 p.m.
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mytwosense writes:
I can't believe one of her friend's was apparently going to take the rap for her at first.
May 14, 2008
3:56 p.m.
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Purpose4mylife writes:
Bottom line is that she is indeed inappropriately dressed for court. I cannot fathom why her attorney or her parents did not feel the need to help guide her on her attire for the day. Judges take it as a direct disrespect not only to the court but to the severity of the case as well. In my opinion, although this is a minor detail, this just further demonstrates her poor decision making ability and lack of remorse.
And I agree with me2, the men on this post that are making light of a tragic situation by discussing her “hottie quotient” should be ashamed of themselves. Grow up.
May 14, 2008
4:21 p.m.
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joedog writes:
Sir Mario didn't wear HIS tank top to court.
May 14, 2008
4:36 p.m.
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medina88 writes:
HolierThanThou-obviously some of the comments above were written by men with no respect for women. My boys will be raised to respect those who respect themselves. Those who don't have self-respect, well I have no control over where their eyes stray, but I know I have done my job as a parent the best way I could.
norsegod88- "An HONEST mistake"? She made a deadly mistake, a stupid mistake and she tried to lie about it. She's 16, drunk and high. She made bad judgement and that's an "honest" mistake? Oh please!!! Ask Samara's parents if they think she made an honest mistake. That's just a really bad comment there bud.
The_Punnisher - What's a LATRINA? A new spanish word you learned today.
YAY for johndoeboulder!!!!
May 14, 2008
5:01 p.m.
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OhBrother writes:
when your drunk and high it might SEEM like a great idea to switch places so you don't get in trouble. The darndest thing about drugs and drank is the effect is short lived and you eventuly come back down to earth..then it stops being such a great idea. She is a scum bag in my opinon, not only for the attempted switch a roo but more for the fact of pleading guilty a year r so later.
What I don't like about this is her being charged as a adult. I don't agree becuase why even have the law in the first place, it seems it happens all the time now? I'm not saying she shouldn't get major time for KILLING A PERSON but if she or any kid is legaly a kid when they commit any crime then they should legaly be charged as a minor based on our justice system.
May 14, 2008
5:41 p.m.
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Vector049 writes:
This airhead needs to be put down immediately so she doesn't contaminate the world with her off spring. Like, uh, like, you know what I, uh, like, mean?!
May 15, 2008
1:58 a.m.
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happymike44 writes:
O.M.G. she had on the cutest top and could you believe that buffy is going to jail.Didn't the judge understand she is to pretty for jail.I mean a girl who looks like her can't go to jail.I mean all the other girls will be so uposet she is in jail.Get how stupid this little girl is.She killed two people and only got 4 years.What a waste she may have robbed the world of another Jonas Salk or a Mother Theresa.What people don't understand when you kill someone you rob society of a person who may have cured cancer or heart disease or even aids.She got off way to easy for committing murder.So hope she learns something about what she did.Also let's sterilize her so she can not have kids and breed another dope smoking and boozing killer.It may seem a little harsh but I am sick of seeing people being slaughtered by the thousands by these types of idiots.I have worked in stores and have had people like this try to buy booze using fake I.D.s.So what we need to do is if a kid is using a fake i.d. then call the police and arrest that kid and stop this crap in it's tracks.Let the parents have to bail them out and deal with the problem.
May 15, 2008
4:21 a.m.
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LOUIE writes:
To the father who lost his precious daughter: somewhere in your home leave on a light for her; children stand blameless before God. That which stands pure and unblemished before God never dies but once...
May 15, 2008
6:14 a.m.
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Vector049 writes:
The bull dykes in squeeze are just going to adore that faddish tattoo on the small of her back.
May 15, 2008
1:25 p.m.
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News_Editor writes:
I think this girl fessed up and now will pay for her mistake. I am glad to see the sentence might not be so hard that she might not be able to sincerely change and prosper by it.
It is probably hard enough for her and her parents knowing she did this. Her parents, are more then likely worrying themselves over this and paying for this mistake too, if not financially at least emotionally.
I am sorry to the parents of the deceased girl. I know it must be difficult. You are right use it for good if you can. Maybe you can get to know her parents, or become a suragate parent to this girl if you can. She needs to be supported to change not be beaten down so she is only made angry and can't start over.
I feel that if we can keep kids and adults off mind altering drugs and alcohol that it is the best thing. Sometimes we may think well a little bit here and there won't hurt a thing, but sometimes it obviously does.
Teens don't have the reflection to think about much besides having fun, and people use this stuff to "feel good", even adults at times. Prescription drug abuse is the leading type of drug abuse in teens and adults now.
None of us can say that we might know exactly what a child will do once it grows up and gets away from us, this could have been their own daughter just as well.
For the rest be grateful that it isn't your daughter in this situation, and work hard to keep them away from substances that may end up being toxic in one way or another, or teach them to stay at home and only drink what they are capable of handling, with drugs no one knows for sure how they will affect anyone at any time.
No one can know what their children will do for sure or are doing 24/7/365, when they are that age and out of sight. All parents can do is to hope that they have raised their children to do the right things and then that they don't do different, in crowds many of them do.
Peer pressure is one of the biggest things there is going now and lots of people know how to use it, in good ways and bad. People seldom feel that it is good to stand out from the crowd anymore or be different. They seldom teach children that not being a part of the crowd may not always be easy, but sometimes it is for the best.